...Coach Tim Tweedie’s Houlton squad (17-1) earned only the second gold ball in program history and the Shires’ first since 1987.

“It’s been a long climb,” said Tweedie, whose nine seniors had lost in the regional final each of the previous three seasons.

“It’s kind of surreal,” said Solomon, a junior who made seven saves en route to her 12th shutout of the season.

Houlton leaned on the experience and poise of its seniors, including defenders Tyra Gentle, Claire Gilpatrick, Alexis Miller and Aspen Flewelling.

That group helped make life easier for Solomon, who made six saves in the second half to help hold off a skilled and resilient Madison team spearheaded by Sydney LeBlanc, Jillian Holden and Ashley Emery.

...“We were fired up,” Bouchard said. “We called this a ‘Revenge Tour’ for us, because we went through Bucksport (that) defeated us sophomore year (in the regional finals) and then we went through Orono, who has always been there in the way. It was great to finally get through everyone.”

Bouchard, a 5-foot-11 midfielder, had been remarkably handcuffed through much of the match by Madison sophomore Emily Edgerly. But she found just enough space to perfectly time a run into the 18-yard box, where Sierra Hoops nimbly threaded a pass through to send Bouchard in one-on-one with Bulldog goalkeeper Lauren Hay.

Hay had no chance as Bouchard settled the ball and finished easily for what would be the final time in her high school career.

“I really wasn’t thinking about it. It’s what we’ve done all season,” Bouchard said. “I was definitely focused on settling it and picking a corner. It’s definitely nerve-wracking — it’s the state championship — but you’ve got to get it done.”

HOULTON, Me (WAGM) - The Houlton girls soccer team brought a gold ball back to the County. We hear from the Shires about their season, and their emotional victory on Saturday.

"It was definitely a different feeling because I'm a senior now and we had so many seniors so it definitely feels good. I actually cried which I don't usually do," said senior Kolleen Bouchard.

"Well I've personally never won anything because soccer has really been the only sport I've ever played. So it's definitely a one of a kind feeling," added senior Mia Hanning.

"We were able to get a goal fairly early in the second half and make it a defensive game since then. That was our 11th shutout of the season, and I knew we could defend if we were able to score first and we were fortunate enough to do so," explained head coach Tim Tweedie.

HOULTON, Maine — For an athlete, there is no greater feeling than competing for, and winning, a state championship.And for two members of the Houlton girls soccer team — Claire Gilpatrick and Rebecca Howe — that feeling is something they have in common with their mothers.

Houlton defeated Madison 1-0 Saturday at Hampden Academy to collect just the school’s second state championship in girls soccer, and the first one in 30 years. Houlton last won the state crown in 1987 when the school competed in Class B. That Shire team beat Lincoln Academy 4-1 for the state title.

HOULTON, Me (WAGM) - This week it goes to a state champion who had a hand in the final outcome.

Kolleen Bouchard from Houlton is this week's athlete of the week. Bouchard had the lone goal in the Class C state championship game against Madison. She also scored one in the regional final when the Shires stopped Dexter. Congrats to Kolleen Bouchard from Houlton, this week's athlete of the week.